Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial mesothelioma can be a rare type of mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the heart (pericardium). This type of mesothelioma generally results in symptoms such as chest discomfort or fatigue, which can mimic other health conditions.
These symptoms can take years to develop following asbestos attorney exposure and can be difficult to diagnose. The best method to obtain a correct diagnosis is for patients to discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor.
What causes mesothelioma of the pericardium?
Pericardial Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that grows in the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a rare form of mesothelioma, which is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of all cases. Like mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma can be linked to asbestos settlement exposure.
Asbestos is a type of naturally occurring mineral that was used in a variety of commercial and household items for decades. Its fibers can be easily swallowed, inhaled or caught in the tissues of the chest and abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma develops when the fibrils become irritated and form tumors that then spread throughout the body.
Doctors have only identified a link between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma in just a few cases. They still do not fully understand how asbestos leads to this type of cancer in the pericardium, however they do know that it occurs in around 25% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is partly due to the fact that it usually occurs years after a patient’s asbestos exposure.
In most instances, a person who is exposed to asbestos can develop pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lungs and forms a lining of the chest wall. There is also the possibility of developing testicular or peritoneal msothelioma in male testes. If they are also diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, it may be difficult to identify because symptoms can be similar to those of other heart ailments.
The signs of pericardial asbestosis tend to progress slowly and may affect your ability to breathe. These symptoms include chest pain, breathing difficulties and a swell of fluid around the heart known as pericardial effusion. The condition is diagnosed by a physician using an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) or a biopsy.
A mesothelioma specialist can determine if a patient suffers from the rare form of this disease and recommend the best treatment. In addition to asbestos lawyer exposure other factors that could increase the risk of pericardial mesothelioma include genetics as well as an impaired immune system and radiation exposure. A family history of the disease increases the risk.
Symptoms
As with other mesothelioma types, pericardial mesothelioma is a result of asbestos fibers reach the tissue that surrounds the heart. This rare form of cancer which is responsible for less than one percent of mesothelioma cases that are malignant is most often seen in people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or living with those who were affected by asbestos. Pericardial Mesothelioma may present with a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to recognize.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos particles cling to the lining of the pericardium and begin to develop tumors which thicken the membrane. Doctors don’t know the process by which pericardial cancer develops however, they believe asbestos particles are the reason. Most doctors think that the cancer originated from a different part of the body, like the abdominal cavity or the lungs (the peritoneum) and then moved to the lining of the heart.
The chest and abdomen are both called the mesothelium, which is the primary site for mesothelioma tumors to develop. The disease may also start in the peritoneal lining and testicles. However it is not as common.
The symptoms of mesothelioma such as mesothelioma of the pericardial region may take years to manifest after exposure to asbestos. The symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing fatigue, fatigue, and weight loss. In some instances the pericardial tumor can cause clubbing. This is an illness where fingers become swollen and look more round than normal.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma in the pericardium by looking at the patient’s medical background. They will ask about past exposure to asbestos, and then conduct imaging tests, like x-rays, CT scans and an echocardiogram to look at the pericardium. They will also collect an x-ray or a tissue sample to complete the diagnosis.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare condition, and many doctors are unable to recognize the signs. It is crucial for patients to report all of their symptoms to their doctor to be tested for mesothelioma and other conditions. Bringing our Symptom Checklist to your appointment will help ensure that your doctor is aware of your symptoms and will be able to accurately determine if you are suffering from.
Diagnosis
Pericardial mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may be similar to other heart conditions and may not manifest until the disease has advanced. Moreover, asbestos exposure can occur decades before the onset of pericardial mesothelioma, making the link hard to recognize. Nonetheless, anyone with a history of asbestos should be able to share their asbestos exposure history with doctors and ask about asbestos-related symptoms.
The reason for mesothelioma of the pericardial region is not known However, doctors believe it occurs when asbestos fibers move from the lungs to the pericardium and cause irritation to the tissue there. Over time the tissue that has been irritated transforms into cancerous cells that grow into tumors and thicken the pericardium. As a result of tumors, fluid builds up around the organ. This pressure can cause symptoms.
X-rays or CT scans are usually done by doctors first to identify any abnormal fluids or tumors. Then, they run tests on blood to confirm the presence of mesothelioma, and determine the extent of any spreading of cancerous cells.
Patients with mesothelioma should also be prepared to discuss their history of work with their doctor. Asbestos workers have a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation through mesothelioma litigation.
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos and recently been diagnosed with pericardial cancer, a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help determine your legal options. Contact Madeksho Law Firm today for a free consultation. No fees are charged unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
The pericardial mesothelioma attorneys at Madeksho Law Firm have helped hundreds of veterans and their families in asbestos claim (Smf.zivillica.it)-related cases. Our lawyers are well-versed in the numerous laws that affect asbestos victims and will ensure that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Complete our online claim form or contact us for assistance. We will walk you through the entire process from start to the end. Our number is 1-888-654-7635. You can also download our free Veterans Packet to learn about the benefits available to you.
Treatment
In order to properly diagnose pericardial mesothelioma doctors must conduct physical examinations and ask patients about their asbestos exposure background. They can then use different tests such as X-rays CT Scans, Echocardiograms and biopsies to identify the signs.
It can take up to 60 years for asbestos fibers to reach the lining of the heart and cause cancerous cells to form. It is essential that anyone with mesothelioma symptoms see a doctor promptly due to the long latency period. They should also be honest about any previous exposure to asbestos so they can ensure they receive the most effective treatment possible.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma and is responsible for less than 1percent of mesothelioma cases identified. This is due to the difficulty in identifying this condition because it may be similar to other heart diseases and symptoms.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is a physical exam conducted by an expert physician who listens to the patient’s breathing pattern and heartbeat. The doctor can also request a CT or MRI scan of the chest to detect tumors and to identify areas of swelling. If they find fluid accumulation in the pericardium, they’ll likely order an echocardiogram to check how well the heart is working and to determine if there is any lining thickening.
Once the doctor has concluded there is a tumor or fluid buildup in the pericardium they will perform a biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis and determine whether it is malignant. In a biopsy procedure doctors take small pieces of fluid or tissue and send them to the lab for further analysis.
Since pericardial mesothelioma offers a smaller range of treatments than other types, a majority of patients will not be able to recover from the disease. However, there are new treatment methods being explored that may provide better outcomes for patients. One such approach is gene therapy, which entails adding or removing genes from a body in order to fight diseases. Immunotherapy is a different option, which aims at training a patient’s immunity to fight cancer.